[blindkid] [Nfbf-l] ERIC MARTEN EARNS LIFE SCOUT / NOW WORKING TOWARD EAGLE SCOUT

Wed May 13 23:50:18 UTC 2009

Sherrill, you are so right. The boys in his troop and the Scout Masters are just incredible. Eric has
gone through a lot more than most to achieve his rank. The first troop he was in was a complete
opposite of this one. They did as little as possible to get by, canceling activities and camp outs 
at the last minute almost every time. Plus, they treated him like he was blind. Eric was?in 
that first troop when he got his first black belt. He was so excited. Eric, of course, told his scout
master about it and he didn't even reply. He just looked at me and said "He can't have a black 
belt. He's blind!". 
After that, we went to the North Florida Scouting Council to seek out the type of troop we wanted 
for him. They knew just where to send us and Troop 333 has surpassed our expectations. They 
don't see Eric as being blind. They don't use the alternative book. He has hiked, gone white 
water river rafting, fished, cooked, worked with woodworking tools, and even learned how to use
the boy scout knife. That one made us both nervous, but Scout Master Lewis sent us on our way
assuring us that he knew just what to do. He'd looked it up, consulted people, and Eric would 
be just fine. And he was. 
This was the troop that stepped up to the plate to help us out at state convention in Jacksonville
last year. They were there the entire weekend, only going home to sleep and come back the 
next morning. They helped with directing people, breakfast buffet and happy hour. They hung out
in the kids and teen rooms playing games. 
After it was all said and done, the boys felt that they got more out of it than we did. The gained an
even greater understanding of the blind community. 
Scouting and community involvement would be an awesome topic for students and parents! It's 
something we should encourage our students to participate?in. 

Lenora Marten

-----Original Message-----
From: Sherrill O'Brien <sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>
To: NFB of Florida Listserv <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>; nfbfjax at comcast.net; nfbf-parents at yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, 13 May 2009 1:47 pm
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] ERIC MARTEN EARNS LIFE SCOUT / NOW WORKING TOWARD EAGLE SCOUT

Congratulations to Eric!  This is an awesome accomplishment.  I'd say this
if it were a sighted Scout.  and cudos as well to his parents who helped and
encouraged their son on this path.  What also needs to be mentioned is how
obviously this troop and scoutmaster have not been simply gracious, but have
welcomed him as an integral part of their group.  I'm sure Eric has taught
them many positive things about blind kids.  So everyone has benefitted.

Maybe scouting and community involvement in general would make a great topic
for the kids and parents.  It  can never be emphasized too often!

Sherrill O'Brien

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of Lenora J. Marten
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 1:34 AM
To: nfbfjax at comcast.net
Subject: [Nfbf-l] ERIC MARTEN EARNS LIFE SCOUT / NOW WORKING TOWARD
EAGLE SCOUT

Young Eric Marten had his board of review last night?and was?awarded the
rank of Life Scout with troop 333, www.troop333.net, here in Jacksonville
and will now be?spending the?next year working on his Eagle. ?So far, this
troop has produced 82 Eagle Scouts. Quite an achievement considering that
only about 5% of scouts achieve the rank of Eagle.

Larry & I are very proud of Eric. As a blind scout,?he worked through the
ranks with the same requirements?as his sighted peers. Eric is known in his
troop as the scout that "tries his best at everything". After his board of
review last night, his scout master Joe Krier told us the board was very
impressed with Eric's honesty in how he eloquently described his own
personal growth since joining the troop in 2005.

While Eric has previously been Scout Librarian and Patrol Leader,?his new
job in the troop is that of the Scribe. The Scribe keeps the troop records.
He records the activities of the patrol leaders' council and keeps a record
of dues, advancement, and Scout attendance at troop meetings.

Sounds like an NFB Leader in the making!

Eric will be attending NFBF State Convention in Boca Raton. If you 
are
interested in speaking with him about his experiences in Scouting, just let
him know. He would be happy to tell you all about it. His contact info:
esmarten at aol.com, 904-229-9544.

The attached photos are from a hike at Blood Mountain.

Lenora Marten
NFB-Jacksonville Chapter Secretary
NFBF-Parents Board Member
NOPBC-PLP
bluegolfshoes at aol.com
904-777-5976
904-229-9554

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